Who is One Player Detroit Lions Must Keep in Check Against Green Bay Packers?

By Michael Terrill

Benny Sieu-USA TODAY Sports

The Detroit Lions are coming off a stellar division win against the Chicago Bears in Week 4. Unfortunately, it does not get any easier on Sunday when they will be forced to take on the Green Bay Packers at Lambeau Field. Who is one player the Lions will have to keep in check if they want to defeat the Packers in Week 5?

Obviously, quarterback Aaron Rodgers is not someone a defense can completely prevent from having a big game. He simply is too good to be totally stopped. With that being said, complicated defensive schemes can certainly slow him down. With any luck, a few interceptions might even be in the cards, especially since Detroit has recorded a NFC-best eight picks in 2013.

Rodgers is ranked third in the NFL with an average of 326.7 passing yards per game. He also is tied for fourth in the league with eight touchdown passes. However, the difference between him and the quarterbacks ahead of him is that he has only appeared in three games so far this season.

A healthy mix of applying pressure to Rodgers and dropping men into coverage could be enough to get the job done. Defeating the Packers is certainly possible, even though the Lions have not won a game in the state of Wisconsin in 21 years. Head coach Jim Schwartz does not want the record to be on the mind of his players, especially since it has been around a lot longer than any of them have been in the league.

“Honestly, in my career I don’t think we’ve ever gone into a game not thinking that we could (win),” Schwartz said, according to the Detroit Free Press. “We certainly want to end the streak, but that’s not our rallying cry. Our rallying cry is Green Bay and division game, all those things. Those are the things that will mean more to the players.”

Considering Rodgers posted one of the worst games of his career the last time he took the field, Detroit is going to have to give him everything he can handle or face the wrath.